Where would you go for TS if your husband didn't like elegant or pretentious...

[perd]

He does like good food, for instance - a good steak. So I thought Concourse might be best for that since I read it was casual - as opposed to, for instance, Yachtsman. He does like nice places, just not places so upscale that he thinks the people in them are stuffy/snooty. He hated the Beach Club. He would hate the Grand Floridian. He would hate concierge. Just not his style. He would hate Victoria and Albert's. He doesn't like places with a big fancily decorated plate with a little bit of food in the middle. He likes places he can wear nice jeans or shorts and a button up shirt. He likes to look nice, but be comfortable. He's aghast if I throw on a holey T-shirt. Hey - my most comfortable shirts are the ones that have been washed 1000 times and have a few holes in them and I don't care what anyone thinks. But he does. So he's not a slob by any means, he just doesn't like pretentious is what it boils down to.

I realize "upscale" at WDW is different/less upscale than upscale outside of the park, as there are all kinds of people going to all the restaurants. I'm guessing that it's mostly the signature dining places that he would not like but just thought I'd check with those who know better than I do and can make suggestions. If you are familiar with Houston's restaurant - that's about as "upscale" as he cares to get!

I don't know what bothers him so much - he can dress up and fit right in with any crowd. He just doesn't like to and he doesn't like pretentious people or fancy anything! But he does love a good steak/prime rib and he loves seafood. And he'd rather hang out with beer drinkers than wine drinkers! Well dressed beer drinkers!

So...based on that, can you suggest TS meals? He liked Boma last time, so that will be one of them...

 

[renessa]

Well definately Concourse based on your description of your DH. We enjoyed Le Cellier (if he could get past the name). Just call it the celler. Great for a steak and potatoes guy, nothing to fancy. No need to be dressy in the theme park. I didn't read anything about kids, and we don't have any yet either...but we're going to Whispering Canyon cafe as my DH is a BBQ lover. Think pulled pork, sausage, ribs, in an all you can eat skillet. You call also order entrees of the menu. It is loud, with lots of kids, but looks fun and we're a fun lovin' couple. If downtown Disney is on your agenda check out Raglan Road. It's new, we'll be trying it in September. I've read some really good reviews. My Dh loves the idea of the tastings, beer and whiskey. We're trying Tony's for the first time in the MK. Check out the menus on this site (wdwinfo.com). Have a great trip!

 

[perd]

Well definately Concourse based on your description of your DH. We enjoyed Le Cellier (if he could get past the name). Just call it the celler. Great for a steak and potatoes guy, nothing to fancy. No need to be dressy in the theme park. I didn't read anything about kids, and we don't have any yet either...but we're going to Whispering Canyon cafe as my DH is a BBQ lover. Think pulled pork, sausage, ribs, in an all you can eat skillet. You call also order entrees of the menu. It is loud, with lots of kids, but looks fun and we're a fun lovin' couple. If downtown Disney is on your agenda check out Raglan Road. It's new, we'll be trying it in September. I've read some really good reviews. My Dh loves the idea of the tastings, beer and whiskey. We're trying Tony's for the first time in the MK. Check out the menus on this site (wdwinfo.com). Have a great trip!

Thanks! Our kids are 17, 19 and 22. They don't have a problem with upscale; they are more used to it than he is! Probably won't want to do BBQ as we get enough of that at home (Kansas City)...but steaks and seafood definitely. Thanks for the Raglan Road suggestion - I read a review about that last night and I think he would really like that place!

 

[jamounger]

LeCellier is very casual, it is exactly like you are eating in a stone cellar. Very family friendly with great steaks. My husband favorite place(even though it doesn't always get the best reviews here) is the Cape May Buffet at the beach club.We have to arrange our trips around this because it's the only thing he insists on doing. They have steamed clams, mussels and shrimp. Fish,salad bar plus non seafood like prime rib. We like teppanyaki, is fun for the family to see the chefs cutting up. Disney has more non pretentious restaurants than not. Even in the dressier ones it isn't that bad. Just look over the menus before you go, there are sites with these, and go to the places that have the foods that you would like.

 

[Berkshires96]

My hubby sounds alot like yours and he loved Raglan Road, in fact we went twice on our December trip. The other place that he liked (actually all of our group of 13) was Spoodles. Great place to eat and then a nice walk around the Boardwalk

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Another vote for Spoodles...we had the best steak all week there! Plus it is a very open, friendly atmosphere. Kona Cafe was also fun and the food was delicious.

 

[Nancyg56]

How about the Kona Cafe? The steak there is good and it is not at all fancy.

 

[karliebug]

my husband loved ohana's and the hoop-de-doo. He also likes buffets because there is something there for everyone. He liked Prime time cafe because it had Meat and Potato type meals. I think he'd like the steakhouse in Canada too if we can get ressies there.

 

[perd]

Thank you for all the suggestions! Maybe he will like some places I think he won't! Sometimes he really surprises me. For instance, last time we were at DW was in 2002 and it was the only time we stayed on site. When we arrived and he saw the Beach Club, he groaned. I thought well, that was a big mistake and I didn't think of going to DW again - not with him, anyway! And we've never talked about it again.

Then about two weeks ago, he said "We should go to Disney World again sometime." See? He really surprises me sometimes!

So I got back on the boards, found out about the 40% discount, called CRO and found out we had the code attached to our household (they probably thought we were never coming back too!), and booked CSR!! Maybe he will like a moderate better than a deluxe resort. He did enjoy the meals when we went before but I think San Angel was our only TS meal...

Anyway, I appreciate the suggestions. I want him to enjoy it so maybe he'll want to go again!

 

[perd]

Oh - another thing. He's really into sports. How's that ESPN place at the Boardwalk? Do they have good food? Isn't there also another ESPN at the Wide World of Sports or something like that? I know for sure he'd enjoy that.

I absolutely loved the Boardwalk area. I would personally love to stay at the Boardwalk Inn; to me it's the perfect location. Maybe can work around to that in the future!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

We like both Ohana and Kona Cafe at the Polynesian - and while I find the hotel (including the lobby) dark, I don't find it pretentious.

50's Primetime diner in MGM is certainly not pretentious (and the fried chicken is mmm mmm good).